EUGENE, Ore. - In the battle for first place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, No. 22 Northwest Christian University came out on top on Tuesday night defeating Corban University, 70-54. Juniors Kayce Mock and Morgan McKinney combined to score 42 points on 10-for-13 shooting from three point range.
 
Highlighted by two Mock three pointers and back-to-back field goals from Aspen Slifka, NCU was able to start the game on a 19-5 run. The Beacons forced nine Corban turnovers and shot 8-of-16 from the field to finish the first quarter with a 21-11 edge.
 
After a hot start to the game, Northwest Christian struggled from the field in the second quarter shooting just 18% from the field, allowing the Warriors to narrow the deficit to four points at halftime, 29-25.
 
Corban climbed within two points by the end of the third quarter, but the Beacons were able to pull away in the fourth, as reigning CCC Player of the Week Morgan McKinney took over the game. McKinney scored ten in the frame, nearly single-handedly out-scoring the Warriors, as the Beacon lead ballooned to 16 as she dropped a final three-pointer as the shot-clock expired in the final minute.
 
The Beacons out-scored Corban 26-12 in the fourth and were highly efficient, shooting 50% from the field, 4-for-7 from beyond the arc and 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
 
Head Coach Chad Meadors stated, "What a game tonight, returning home we were pumped up for this match-up. We overcame some tough foul trouble to start the game with our starting five and our defense was great, forcing them to take some tough shots."
 
NCU (16-4, 10-2 CCC) finished the night shooting 38.7% from the field and had 17 assists on 24 made buckets. The Beacons defense forced a season-high 22 turnovers, grabbing 13 steals which translated into 24 points.
 
Mock led the Beacons with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks on 7-10 shooting from beyond the arc. The seven made three pointers ranks second all-time in NCU single-game history.  
 
McKinney also scored 21 points, hitting a trio of three-pointers. Already leading the CCC for field goal percentage, she went 7-for-9 from the field to bump her season average to .550.
 
"The shooting display from Kayce Mock was impressive," said Meadors. "It's hard for opposing post players to get out and guard her when she keeps knocking down shots and Morgan played outstanding after some first half foul trouble which showed her maturity and growth to be able to play in foul trouble the way she did in the second half."
 
Aspen Slifka tallied 13 points while Kaylen Kamelamela posted seven points and four assists. Shanay Dotson added six points, four rebounds and three assists.
 
The Warriors (14-8, 10-4) shot 34% on the night and were just 3-for-14 from three-point range, two of which came for senior Jordan Woodvine. The All-American led Corban with 19 points before fouling out late in the fourth. Shaelie Burgess complemented the offense on the inside, posting a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Corban out-rebounded the Beacons 51-29 including 22 offensive rebounds, which they converted into just 13 second-chance points.
 
The victory caps just the third time in history the NCU women's basketball team has completed the series sweep over Corban.
 
NCU returns to action on Friday afternoon, playing host to Walla Walla University (3-18, 1-11) at 12:00 pm. Meadors said, "We are thrilled to create some separation in the top of the standings and I am looking forward to see how we play from on top and see if we can handle a small level of success. It starts right away and I am looking forward to the opportunity against Walla Walla."